WARM AUDIO WA-MPX Single and Dual Channel Tube Mic Preamp User Manual

WARM AUDIO WA-MPX Single and Dual Channel Tube Mic Preamp User Manual

THANK YOU!
Thank you for purchasing the Warm Audio WA-MPX / WA-2MPX. We feel this product line offers the best in terms of sound, function, and vibe from the classic era of analog recording. We don’t cut corners when it comes to what goes into our products, and WA-MPX mic preamps are no exception. The WA-MPX preamps use two premium 12AX7 tubes and one premium 12AU7 tube per channel. Those tubes are accompanied by custom-wound, large-core CineMag transformers, creating a 90dB, 300v preamp channel loaded with raw analog power. This iconic tube warmth helped define the sound of artists including Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, Bing Crosby, Les Paul, Nat King Cole, and Roy Orbison. That sound continues to be used by elite audio engineers today to create timeless recordings. The WA-MPX family of preamps are hand-assembled with premium tubes and custom-wound, large-core CineMag transformers, all carefully tested by hand at Warm Audio headquarters in Austin, Texas.

REGISTER YOUR WA-MPX PRODUCT!
Before we begin, please take the time to visit www.warmaudio.com to register your product. To ensure you receive proper and uninterrupted warranty support for your product, please register your unit within 14 days from purchase.

WARRANTY STATEMENT

Warm Audio warranties this product to be free from defect in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase, for the original purchaser to whom this equipment is registered. This warranty is non-transferrable. This warranty is void in the event of damage incurred from unauthorized service to this unit, or from electrical or mechanical modification to this unit. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from abuse, accidental damage, misuse, improper electrical conditions such as mis-wiring, incorrect voltage or frequency, unstable power, disconnection from earth ground (for products requiring a 3 pin, grounded power cable), or from exposure to hostile environmental conditions such as moisture, humidity, smoke, fire, sand or other debris, and extreme temperatures. Warm Audio will, at its sole discretion, repair or replace this product in a timely manner. This limited warranty extends only to products determined to be defective and does not cover incidental costs such as equipment rental, loss of revenue, etc. Please visit us at www.warmaudio.com for more information on your warranty, or to request warranty service. This warranty applies to products sold in the United States of America. For warranty information in any other country, please refer to your local Warm Audio distributor. This warranty provides specific legal rights, which may vary from state to state. Depending on the state in which you live, you may have rights in addition to those covered in this statement. Please refer to your state laws or see your local Warm Audio retailer for more information.

NON-WARRANTY SERVICE
If you have a defective unit that is outside of our warranty period or conditions; we are still here for you and can get your unit working again for a modest service fee. Please visit us at www.warmaudio.com to contact us about setting up a repair or for more information. With proper care, your Warm Audio gear should last a lifetime and provide a lifetime of enjoyment. We believe the best advertisement we can have is a properly working unit being put to great use. Let’s work together to make it happen.

NOW LETS GET STARTED!

The Warm Audio WA-MPX preamps are some of the highest quality microphone preamplifiers on the market in their price range. They use custom-made components similarly found in preamplifiers with much higher price tags. Homebased musicians and professional studios alike will find the WA-MPX models to be extremely powerful, versatile and fully professional pieces of gear that are capable of warming and shaping both input signals and mixes in a way that is very pleasing to the ear. The information contained in this manual is written to help you quickly get started using your WA-MPX / WA-2MPX.

TECHNICAL SPECS – FRONT PANEL [SINGLE-CHANNEL]
Note: All applicable LEDs on WA-MPX models will illuminate when their corresponding switches are engaged

1. Input Select Switch
   This switch selects either mic, instrument, or line level input.

2. +48V Switch
   This switch provides power for condenser mics and any other devices requiring continuous phantom power through the XLR input. This power is supplied at a constant level to prevent any degradation of audio quality.

3. High Gain Switch
   This switch engages the third tube in the channel circuit for an added 20db (from 70dB to 90dB) of clean gain for low-output mics and low-volume sources – like ribbons and certain dynamic microphones.

4. Polarity Switch
   This switch inverts the polarity of the signal. Use the polarity switch when recording with more than one open microphone to combat phase cancellation between microphones.

5. Tone Switch
   This switch changes the input transformer configuration from a 1:9 (step up) turns ratio to a steeper 1:18 (step up) turns ratio, drawing out a greater degree of coloration and impact from the input transformer. When engaged, the input impedance of the WA-MPX is 150 ohms. When disengaged, the input impedance of the WA-MPX is 600 ohms. This feature will make a noticeable tone change to most microphones. The 600 ohms impedance setting is recommended for condenser and dynamic microphones, and 150 ohms is recommended for dynamic and ribbons. This switch is labeled “Tone” for a reason; most listeners will find the unswitched setting to be more open and natural, with the engaged setting to be more punchy, aggressive, or thick. We strongly suggest you experiment with both settings on all sources to find the best possible tone for your recordings. As with all things, let your ear be the final judge on which setting to use for any given situation.

6. TS Instrument Input
   You can connect a variety of instruments via the instrument input on the front panel of the WA-MPX including: acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, synths and drum machines.

7. 80Hz Hi-Pass Filter
   This switch removes frequencies below 80Hz to help control unwanted bass noise from unruly sources.

8. 2kHz Low-Pass Filter
   This switch removes frequencies above 2kHz for more punch and focused midrange.

9. Tape Saturation Control
   This switch adds a dedicated circuit of discrete analog components to the already warm tubes, delivering tape-style saturation – with added natural compression and harmonic distortion.

10. Preamplifier Gain
    This knob adjusts the amount of tube gain applied in the WA-MPX channel circuit.

11. VU Meter
    The VU meter allows for accurate monitoring of the signal volume exiting the WA-MPX channel.

12. Output Level
    This knob acts as a 600Ω output attenuator, controlling the signal exiting the WA-MPX channel. The output level ensures that the amplified signal doesn’t exit the WA-MPX at too-high a volume and prevents overloading the inputs on your recording interface or the next device in the signal chain. It also gives greater ability to drive the gain of the preamp harder resulting in greater colorization and tone shaping within the various settings.

13. Power Switch
    This switch is used to power the unit on and off. LED light will indicate if the unit is powered on. To extend the life of the electronics please turn WA- MPX units off when not in use.

1. IEC AC POWER INLET
   Connect the accompanying power cord to power the unit.

2. Voltage Switch
   Always use the correct rating (115v or 230v) that corresponds with local power requirements, as indicated by the red voltage switch.

3. Balanced Line Outputs (XLR & TRS)
   Balanced outputs are provided on an XLR and ¼” TRS connection for convenience.

4. Mic / Line Input
   The back of the unit offers both Mic (XLR) and Line (TRS) balanced inputs for convenience. The mic input is designed for dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones. Other instruments or devices that put out a low level microphone signal can also be plugged into this input. The line input is designed for line level instruments or sources that put out line level signals such as some keyboards, electric instruments or audio interface outputs

WA-2MPX TECHNICAL SPECS – FRONT & REAR PANEL [DUAL CHANNEL]
A simple list of feature / specification identification will be provided below the WA-2MPX product images. For detailed descriptions of the feature functionality, please refer to the descriptions found in the WA-MPX (single- channel) technical specs section.

Note: All applicable LEDs on WA-2MPX models will illuminate when their corresponding switches are engaged

WA-2MPX – FRONT PANEL [DUAL-CHANNEL]

1. Input Select Switch
2. Preamplifier Gain
3. Output Level
4. VU Meter
5. TS Instrument Input
6. +48V Switch
7. High Gain Switch
8. Polarity Switch
9. Tone Switch
10. 80Hz Hi-Pass Filter
11. 2kHz Low-Pass Filter
12. Tape Saturation Control
13. Power Switch
14. [Channel 2] VU Meter
15. [Channel 2] Preamplifier Gain
16. [Channel 2] Output Level
17. [Channel 2] Input Select Switch
18. [Channel 2] +48V Switch
19. [Channel 2] High Gain Switch
20. [Channel 2] Polarity Switch
21.  [Channel 2] Tone Switch
22. [Channel 2] 80Hz Hi-Pass Filter
23. [Channel 2] 2kHz Low-Pass Filter
24. [Channel 2] Tape Saturation Control
25. [Channel 2] TS Instrument Input

WA-2MPX – REAR PANEL [DUAL-CHANNEL]

1. IEC AC POWER INLET
   Connect the accompanying power cord to power the unit.

2. Voltage Switch
   Always use the correct rating (115v or 230v) that corresponds with local power requirements, as indicated by the red voltage switch.

3. Balanced Line Outputs (XLR & TRS)
   Balanced outputs are provided on an XLR and ¼” TRS connection for convenience.

4. Mic / Line Input
   The back of the unit offers both Mic (XLR) and Line (TRS) balanced inputs for convenience. The mic input is designed for dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones. Other instruments or devices that put out a low level microphone signal can also be plugged into this input. The line input is designed for line level instruments or sources that put out line level signals such as some keyboards, electric instruments or audio interface outputs.

WA-MPX SAMPLE HOOKUP DIAGRAM [SINGLE-CHANNEL]

RECORDING INTERFACE

In this example, a microphone is connected to a WA-MPX input, which sends signal into the WA-2A compressor via a balanced XLR patch cable, which feeds in the LINE LEVEL input of your recording interface/recorder.

Note: it is important to use a line level input on your recording device as opposed to a microphone or instrument level input.

WA-2MPX SAMPLE HOOKUP DIAGRAM [DUAL-CHANNEL]

ADD ANALOG SATURATION TO STEREO MIXES WITH YOUR RECORDING INTERFACE

One great way to get that extra analog color to final mixes or masters is to run the stereo outputs through premium, discrete analog gear. Using the WA- 2MPX, you can send audio to a set of stereo outs on your recording interface, into the WA-2PMX inputs, and then route the outputs on WA-2MPX to stereo inputs on your recording interface. Those new input channels will fully pass through the discrete analog components inside WA-2MPX. Try flipping on the tape saturation switch for added compression, saturation (harmonic distortion), and modified tone filtering for even more tape-era analog mojo!

Note: Remember that the WA-2MPX OUTPUTS go to interface INPUTS, and WA- 2MPX INPUTS go to interface OUTPUTS. Your interface will require 2 extra INPUTS and 2 extra OUTPUTS to route the audio this way

SPECIFICATIONS

• Authentic Reproduction Of The Most Revered Tape-Era Tube Microphone Preamp
• Fully Discrete, Hand-Built Construction With 3 Tubes Per Channel For Ultimate Analog Tone
• Selectable Tape Saturation Adds Harmonic Distortion & Natural Compression
• 90dB Of Analog Tube Gain Per Channel
• Custom-Wound, Large-Core CineMag USA Transformers
• Mic Input: 600Ω Transformer (6000Ω Rated)
• Mic Input With “Tone” Engaged: 150Ω Transformer (1500Ω Rated)
• Premium (2X) 12AX7 & (1X) 12AU7 Tubes Per Channel
• 600Ω Output Attenuator
• Engage High Gain Control For An Added 20db (From 70db To 90db) Of Clean Gain For Low-Output Mics And Low-Volume Sources
• 48v Phantom Power & Polarity Switch
• Classic Warm Audio Tone Control That Alters The Input Transformer Impedance Adding Extra Analog Color
• 80Hz Hi-Pass Filter
• 2kHz Low-Pass Filter To Focus Preamp Power & Warmth On Mids For Added Punch & Clarity
• Inputs: XLR Mic, TS Instrument & TRS Line
• Outputs: XLR / TRS Line Level
• VU Meter Level Indication
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Aluminum Faceplate, Steel Chassis, & Vintage Bakelite-Style Knobs
• Internal IEC 115v/230v Power Inlet

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read these instructions – All of the safety and operating instructions should be read before this product is operated.
2. Keep these instructions – The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed all warnings – All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.
4. Follow all instructions – All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water – The appliance should not be used near water or moisture – for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool, and the like.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at the plugs, convenience receptacles, and at the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart or rack is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug the apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. CAUTION: These servicing instructions are for use by qualified service personnel only. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not perform any servicing other than that contained in the operating instructions unless you are qualified to do so.

References

• Warm Audio | Faithful recreations. Legendary sounds.
• Warm Audio | Faithful recreations. Legendary sounds.

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